I was at Glendalough yesterday and on the Spinc for the first time. I cannot imagine there haven't already been a thousand hours debate on the boardwalk and and that there won't be a thousand hours more. Those conspiratorially for and those vociferously against.
And if I could add my twopence worth. Me? I'm just baffled.
Does it get people on to the Spinc? Undoubtedly but are those people more or different from those who would be on it anyway?
We most if us know that in recent times a party fell on it and took its guardians to court. That is absolutely not to suggest that it is easier to fall on than nature's own route underfoot but is it perhaps not inviting controversy if someone does fall on it - and I have to add that coming of it at some spots would be no joke. There's a busted limb somewhere in there.
My boots, my precious new big eff-off Zamberlans. Do I want their very expensive soles antagonised by that surface? Am I being precious?
I'll keep the jury out for now with just the barest edge in favour.
Incidentally I had forgotten what a very unappetizing spot is the Glendalough Park and Run.

There are innumerable wonderful views on the coast of Norway, but the area around the Lofoten Islands offers probably the best. Don't know the name of the mountain in the pic, but it's about an hour north of the main Lofoten town of Svolvaer heading towards the Trollfjord. Pic is taken from the Hurtigruten ferry which links all the small towns on the Norwegian coast all thge way up to the Russian border town of Kirkenes. Pic taken in late April at about 10pm

Kirkjufell (Church Mountain) is probaby the most photographed mountain in Iceland. Its conical shape rising 463 metres above sea level, framed in the foreground by series of small waterfalls, makes it a popular photography location. Unsurprisingly, its wizard hat-shape has seen it feature in the blockbuster TV series, "Game of Thrones". This shot was taken on a cold summer morning at dawn to avoid the inevitable large crowds, and we were treated to some diffuse colour in the sky and had the place totally to ourselves.

I've been away from the hills for some time. Barely missed a week in 35 years. But 2018? You can count on one hand and seldom in anger. Just chapters I suppose and like a writer coming back to his work after the passage of time, he sees what needs fixed.

Fat people.
Fat people shouldn't be allowed on the hills. That said, there are many good and competent fat hillwalkers - they are allowed to stay. But on the hills and fat? Just for the Hell of it? No way. Get them out of my sight. They offend me.

Whining children.
Whining children should be beaten with canes or the leg of a stool and made to go up the mountain and the men who purport to be their fathers taken away from them and held in custody until at the behest of the whining child, they can be hanged.

Whining old people.
Whining old people can stay. Their feet do genuinely hurt and besides they've earned the right to whine.

People who follow their Partner.
People who follow their partner into the hills because their partner said they would like it when they knew they wouldn't and they don't. Off Off. They have miserable faces and I won't have miserable faces on the hills. Go back to the golf, the garden or the GAA. You'd be much happier and so would I.

Religion.
All religions and faiths should be allowed on the hills. All except Northern Ireland protestants who refuse to read Irish or anything like it. So when they are faced with a map of pretty well anywhere in Ireland and Britain, they have no idea where they are or what they are looking at.

Scotsmen.
Scotsmen should be banned from the hills. All the hills. Forever. They are a menace to everyone including themselves and they are completely humourless. I'm sure they don't know what's under their kilt either.

People with walking poles.
People with walking poles should be summarily executed so always carry a large stake, some binding twine and a Lee Enfield rifle.

A beautiful July day on the summit of Tonlagee. Gazing down at the beautiful heart shaped Lough Oular
.Tom Barragry & the Lugs .

des carroll2018-07-17 18:33:08

Found

Hi folks. A pair of walking sticks were found in Seskin, Glen of Imaal near Fenton's. Would the owner please phone 086 8607393. If you do not get an answer, please leave a brief message with a phone number for a return call.

To answer your question, you are good to go. Happened to drive the length of the Military Road last Sunday. As of that time all the fires were north of the Sally Gap. I am not aware there having been any further fires this week.

By coincidence, I have also been rereading Moire OSullivan's "Mud Sweat and Tears" book about the Wicklow Round this week. It outlines a route from the Sally Gap to Drumgoff. Not the best route from one place to the other IMHO, but worth looking at!
https://www.imra.ie/wicklowround/

MickC2018-07-09 17:11:58

Bushfires in Dublin/ Wicklow July 2018

Hi,
Does anyone know, or suggest where I might find out, the extent of the recent bushfires in Dublin/ Wicklow? Planning a walk from the Sally Gap to Glenmalure over the next few days.
Cheers.
Mick

I am planning joining Glennagleragh Mountain with Devilsmother South Top, approaching from the south somewhere around L948602. The Benwee spur looks ideal for ascent but it is clearly quite steep, perhaps a little steeper than the Leynabrick spur which I have ascended before.

Tom Barragry, Nick O Neill, and Aidan Cruise coming around Slea Head at evening time, with the Blaskets just coming into view. A beautiful vista not to be forgotten.!
Having set out from Dingle ,along the Dingle way, it was a good stretch along the coastal path, through Ventry, the famine cottages, under Eagle Mountain ,and on finally to Dunquin.

sandman11 hours ago.On 26/4/2014 i spent a very enjoyable afternoon walking this area visiting the army observation hut and the stone constructed EIRE marking as part of an addition to the Benwee Head Loop walk but i...

Bunsen7a day ago.Coming down off Slieve Gullion (Culann's Mtn) you get this lovely framed view of Forkhill sandwiched between Croslieve and Tievecrom. It's easy to understand how a village might pop up in such a n...